Dubai commuters are now waiting less than 3.5 minutes for a taxi ride, thanks to the growing popularity of e-hailing services, according to a recent report by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). Over 74% of e-booked trips in 2024 had a waiting time shorter than this, signaling improved efficiency across the emirate’s taxi sector.
The shift toward e-hailing — primarily through booking Hala taxis on the Careem app — has not only reduced wait times but also eased traffic congestion. The RTA revealed that e-hailing removes 7,600 vehicles from Dubai’s roads daily, as taxis are strategically deployed during peak hours.
With most taxis now focused on fulfilling pre-booked requests via smart apps, fewer cabs are roaming the streets in search of passengers. This has led to a rise in Hala’s market share during peak hours, which increased from 42% in 2023 to 50% in 2024, according to Adel Shakri, director of Planning and Business Development at RTA’s Public Transport Agency.
The benefits extend to drivers, who are seeing reduced driving time by an average of 50 minutes daily and shorter travel distances, resulting in a 4% decrease in overall driving.
Additionally, the e-hail system has contributed to environmental sustainability, with CO2 emissions reduced by 20,000 tonnes in 2024. Each e-hail ride saves an average of five minutes of unnecessary driving and reduces wasted distances by 3km per trip compared to traditional street-hailing, Shakri added.
